Dusting tools



April 25, 1967 w. P. RICHARDSON 9 DUSTING TOOLS Filed Nov. 18, 1965 2 SheetsSheet l I N VEN TOR. W/L L /AM P. 2/67/11 @DSON April 1967 w. P. RICHARDSON DUSTING TOOLS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 18, 1965 INVENTOR. WILL/AM P- 2/04/1005 01V A T Tom/5K United States Patent Office 3,3l5,2% Patented Apr. 25, 1967 3,315,296 DUSTING TOOLS William P. Richardson, Greenwich, Conn, assignor to Empire Brushes, Inc., Port Chester, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 508,509 10 Claims. (fil. 15-159) This invention relates to dusting tools and particularly :10 dusting brushes suitable for sweeping smooth surfaced oors.

An object of this invention is to provide a dusting tool of the character described having improved connector means to attach the handle to the backing member to permit greater control and flexibility to thereby clean both large open areas and tight spots.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dusting tool of the character described comprising a center brush area of relatively short, substantially vertically disposed tufts of bristles extending from a brush back, surrounded by tufts of relatively longer bristles extending from said back and flaring outwardly.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a dusting tool of the character described having many times the dirt absorbing capacity of ordinary dust mops, which eliminates cloth laundering and replacements, which eliminates shaking out, which may be cleaned by holding the tool over a waste receptacle and running a straight edge over the tufts a few times, and in which ordinary stains on the bristles may be removed by rinsing in tepid water, with or without mild soap or detergent.

A further object of this invention is to provide a dusting tool of the character described wherein the backing member in which all the bristles are mounted comprises a beveled area surrounding a flat center area, with the shorter bristles extending from the center flat area, and the longer bristles arranged in an inner and outer row of tufts around the shorter bristles, and extending from the beveled area with the tufts of the outer row being slightly longer than the tufts of the inner row.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a dusting tool of the character described which shall clean efficiently and have a high dirt absorbing capacity, which shall be economical to manufacture, and which shall be strong and durable and yet practical and eflicient toa high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown an illustrative embodiment of this invention,

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a dusting tool embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the dusting tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial top plan view thereof with portions broken away and in cross-section;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views taken on lines 5-5 and 6-6 of FIG. 4 respectively; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views similar to FIGS. 2 and 6 respectively showing the tool in use.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, 10 designates a dusting tool embodying the invention. A usual handle 11, formed with screw threads 12, may be used with tool 10.

Tool 10 comprises a block or backing member of wood or any other suit-able material. Backing member 15 is roughly of the shape of an elongated rectangle with the short sides formed into semi-circles. Backing member 15 comprises a flat top surface 16, a vertical, peripheral side surface 17, a beveled surface 18 extending inwardly from the lower end of surface 17, and a bottom surface 19 joining the lower end of surface 18 all around, and disposed parallel to top surface 16. Wall 18 may be disposed at an angle of about 23 off the horizontal all around.

Means are provided to adjustably mount handle 11 on the block 15. To this end a pair of similar, symmetrically disposed bracket members 25 are secured to block 15 on surface 16, at the center of said surface, by wood screws 26, or other suitable means. Each member 25 comprises a flat bottom flange 27 having wings 28 formed with openings, not shown, to pass screws 26. Flange 27 has a straight front edge 29. The front edges 29 of the two members 25 are in facing relation.

Each member 25 defines a chamber 30 with top surface 16 by way of part cylindrical wall 31 having a part circular rear end wall portion 32, and a flat front wall portion 33 extending up from front edge 29. Each front wall portion 33 is formed with a circular opening 34.

Loosely mounted in the two openings 34 is a mounting rod 40. The length of rod 40 is slightly less than the distance between the two rear end wall portions 32 so that the rod can move slightly therebetween.

Extending downwardly, in longitudinal vertical planes, from bottom surface 19 of block 15, and substantially covering said surface, are a plurality of spaced tufts 45 0f bristles. As shown in FIG. 2, tufts 45 may progressively canted or slanted slightly outwardly towards the outer longitudinal ends of bottom surface 19. Tufts 45 may be secured to the block in any well know manner, such as by being fitted into drilled holes 41 in the block. The material of the bristles is preferably a plastic of the styrene family. The tips of the bristles may be split or flagged to increase dirt absorbing capacity and to permit the bristles to pick up smaller particles of dirt'. The flagging maybe accomplished with the use of rotating knives, similar to circular saws with edges of the knives contacting the ends of the bristles.

Extending downwardly and outwardly from bevel surface 18, closely adjacent bottom surface 19, is an inner row of spaced tufts 46 which surround bottom surface 19 and tufts 45. An outer row of spaced tufts 47 also extend downwardly and outwardly from surface 18. Tufts 46 and 47 preferably make about a 35 angle with the vertical and hence are not perpendicular to surface 18. The lower, inner corner 46a of each tuft 46, and the lower, inner corner 47a of each tuft 47 are all in substantially the same horizontal plane parallel to surfaces 16 and 19. Thus, tufts 47 are slightly longer than tufts 46.

Tufts 46 and 47 are secured to the block in drilled holes 42 and 43 respectively, made of the same material, are of substantially the same cross-sectional area, and have their tips flagged in the same manner, as tufts 45. However, the length of tufts 46 and 47 is preferably about 2 inches, and the length of tufts 45 is preferably about A; inch.

In use on a floor or similar surface F, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the lower ends of tufts 45 will rest flush on surface F. Because tufts 45 are relatively short, substantially vertically disposed, and because of their relatively greater area density, block 15 will ordinarily be supported on tufts 45 and will not get closer to surface F than their length. Tufts 46 and 47, because of their relatively longer length, lesser area density, and .angle to the vertical, will be flared outwardly so that their inner surfaces will dust the surface F. This flaring allows the tool to cover a wider area. Tufts 46 and 47 do light dusting and are held in flared condition by the tufts 45. Tufts 45, which are relatively stiff compared to tufts 46 and 47 due to the above described conditions, do relatively heavier dusting. Because of the length relationship between tufts 46 and 47 and their angle described above, both sets of tufts still contact surface F even when flared out.

Means are provided to removably and adjustably attach handle 11 to block 15. To this end a clamp 50 and a connector 70 are provided.

Clamp 50 comprises a pair of similar, symmetrically disposed clamp plates 51, 52. Each plate 51 has a top, arcuate edge 52, side edges 53 extending down from the ends of the top edge, inwardly extending flanges 54 extending from side edges 53, and side wings 55. Flanges 54 extend around to the upper sides of wings 55. The bottom edge of each plate 51 and the wings 55 are curved inwardly as at 56. Each plate is formed with a central, registering opening 57.

Connector 70 comprises a top cup-like handle receiving portion 71 formed with internal screw threads 72 which cooperate with threads 12 on handle 11 in a well known manner. Extending downwardly from thebottom of cup portion 71 are a pair of spaced lugs 73, 73 each formed with an opening 74.

To assemble the tool, the plates 51 are positioned around rod 40 with curved portions 56 under the rod. The flanges 54 are brought into contact with one another. The assembled clamp 50 is then put between the lugs 73 of the connector, and a screw, wing nut and washer assembly 80 passed through the registering openings 54 and 74. By adjusting the pressure on assembly 80 any fixed position or any degree of looseness can be maintained between clamp 50 and connector 70. The handle 11 is always free to move about the axis of rod 40 even if the clamp 50 is tight on the rod, because the rod is free to move in the openings 34.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an article and apparatus in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth and shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A dusting brush comprising an elongated backing member, a first group of tufts extending downwardly from the underside of said backing member, a second group of tufts extending downwardly from the underside of said backing member and completely surrounding the first group, the tufts of said second group being flared outwardly and downwardly and being longer than the tufts of the first group, and said first group including tufts which extend straight downwardly from said backing member, said backing member being formed, at said underside, with an upwardly and outwardly inclined surface of straight transverse cross-section, completely surrounding a flat bottom surface, said first group of tufts extending from said flat bottom surface, and said second group comprising inner and outer rows of tufts extending from said inclined surface.

2. The combination of claim 1, the angle between said inclined and bottom surfaces being less than the angle of said tufts of said second group to the vertical.

3. The combination of claim 2, each of said tufts of said second group flaring outwardly from said inclined surface.

4. The combination of claim 3, each of said tufts of said first and second groups being of substantially equal cross-sectional area adjacent said backing member, the tufts of both groups comprising the same kind of bristles.

I group located centrally of 5. The combination of claim 4, the tufts of said first said backing member being disposed substantially normal to said bottom surface, the remaining tufts of said first group being disposed progressively more slanted downwardly and towards the longitudinal ends of said backing member at points spaced progressively further from the center of said backing member.

6. The combination of claim 5, said second group of tufts being at least twice as long as the tufts of said first group.

7. The combination of claim 6, the tufts of said first group being arranged in spaced vertical planes.

8. A dusting brush comprising an elongated backing member, a first group of tufts extending downwardly from the underside of said backing member, a second group of tufts extending downwardly from the underside of said backing member and completely surrounding the first group, the tufts of said second group being flared outwardly and downwardly and being no longer than the tufts of the first group, and said first group including tufts which extend straight downwardly from said backing member, the tufts of said second group being arranged in two rows, one inside the other, with the tufts of the outer row somewhat longer than the tufts of the inner row and with the ends of the tufts of said inner and outer rows disposed in parallel, spaced planes transverse to said tufts and with portions of said tufts of said inner and outer rows normally being disposed in a common plane parallel to said flat bottom surface.

9. A dusting brush comprising an elongated backing member, a first group of tufts extending downwardly from the underside of said backing member, a second group of tufts extending downwardly from the underside of said backing member and completely surrounding the first group, the tufts of said second group being flared outwardly and downwardly and being longer than the tufts of the first group, and said first group including tufts which extend straight downwardly from said backing member, and means to attach a handle to said backing member, said means comprising a pair of spaced, similar, symmetrical, hollow bracket members, said backing member having a top surface, means to attach said bracket members to said top surface, a mounting rod, means on said bracket members to mount said mounting rod on said bracket members in spaced relation to said top surface, said means to attach further comprising clamp means to releasably clamp onto said mounting rod and a connector member to connect said clamp means and said handle.

10. A dusting brush comprising an elongated backing member, a first group of tufts extending downwardly from the underside of said backing member, a second group of tufts extending downwardly from the underside of said backing member and completely surrounding the first group, the tufts of said second group being flared outwardly and downwardly and being longer than the tufts of the first group, and said first group including tufts which extend straight downwardly from said backing member, and means to attach a handle to said backing member, said backing member having a top surface, said means comprising a pair of spaced, similar, symmetrically disposed bracket members, each of said hollow bracket members comprising a flat wall portion contacting said top surface, means to attach said flat wall portion to said top surface, each of said bracket members further comprising a top wall portion spaced above said top surface and an inner wall portion extending down from said spaced wall portion to said bottom wall portion, said inner wall portions each being in facing relation with each other and being formed with an opening, a mounting rod extending between said bracket members through said openings and under said spaced top wall portions, said means to attach further comprising clamp means to releasably clamp onto said mounting 5 6 rod and a connector member to connect said clamp 3,123,946 3/1964 Hoveland. means and said handle. 3,152,348 10/1964 Zelinkoff 15144 References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 332,806 6/1903 France. D. 25,895 8/1896 Young 15-159 X 758,680 11/ 1933 Frances02,s13 8/1893 Geisecke 15-459 X 881,036 1953 Germany, 1,363,282 12/1920 Smith 15-160 39,918 6/1907 swltzerland; 2,407,431 10/1946 Herold. 2 12 530 11/1957 Whi 15 159 10 CHARLES A- WILLMUTH: Primary Examiner- 3,047,898 8/1962 Levite 15-159 P. FELDMAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DUSTING BRUSH COMPRISING AN ELONGATED BACKING MEMBER, A FIRST GROUP OF TUFTS EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID BACKING MEMBER, A SECOND GROUP OF THE EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID BACKING MEMBER AND COMPLETELY SURROUNDING THE FIRST GROUP, THE TUFTS OF SAID SECOND GROUP BEING FLARED OUTWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY AND BEING LONGER THAN THE TUFTS OF THE FIRST GROUP, AND SAID FIRST GROUP INCLUDING TUFTS WHICH EXTEND STRAIGHT DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID BACKING MEMBER, SAID BACKING MEMBER BEING FORMED, AT SAID UNDERSIDE, WITH AN UPWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY INCLINED SURFACE OF STRAIGHT TRANSVERSE CROSS-SECTION, COMPLETELY SURROUNDING A FLAT BOTTOM SURFACE, SAID FIRST GROUP OF TUFTS EXTENDING FROM SAID FLAT BOTTOM SURFACE, AND SAID SECOND GROUP COMPRISING INNER AND OUTER ROWS OF TUFTS EXTENDING FROM SAID INCLINED SURFACE. 